Student Brittany Conklin is conducting ethnographic research as part of her internship with the Lawrenceville Cooperative Ministry. Photo provided.
By Collin Elder | The growth of food insecurity among families has accelerated in recent years, according to Georgia Gwinnett College (GGC) faculty members Dr. Jenna Andrews-Swann and Dr. Gregory Gullette.
Elder
The pair, who teach anthropology at GGC, along with their students, seek to study the physical, social and emotional effects of food insecurity among underserved populations in the Atlanta metro region (AMR).
Students on the research team are interning with local nonprofits like the Lawrenceville Cooperative Ministry and Harvest Gwinnett, a network of community gardens throughout Gwinnett County, to conduct ethnographic research. This includes noting the observations and behaviors of people depending on these community entities for food, conducting interviews and collecting survey responses to better understand these organizations and the clients they serve. This data will be carefully analyzed and shared so the project might positively impact efforts to improve food access in the region.
Dr. Andrews-Swann says: “a thing that people often feel shame about – not being able to provide for yourself or your children – and the students go above and beyond to be as open and warm as they can be.”
Dr. Gullette says research collected so far is compelling and paints a picture that is complex and moving. One of the students’ interview recordings details the story of an older woman who recently lost her husband and now goes to one of the co-ops for food and advice. “She’s never had a job, never handled her own finances,” says Gullette. Such people often rely on nonprofit staff to learn skills they’ve been unable to acquire.
Brittany Conklin, 25, an environmental science major living in Grayson, is working with these communities. She recalled one man, a favorite of the other volunteers, who picks up food for four of his neighbors. “A volunteer told me that the man, a native of Uganda, has chosen to live well below his means here in the U.S. so he can do more to help those in his community,” says Conklin.
Christin Cain, 19, a junior environmental science major from Norcross, finds that: “This research project is teaching me the ropes of community outreach. It allows me to see firsthand how the people of low-income communities are affected by issues like affordable housing or food access.”
Cain said those issues also include access to dependable retail stores for clothing, access to greenspaces and safe parks, and even healthy air quality. Individuals who utilize food banks and community gardens gain access to some of those amenities.
Andrews-Swann adds: “All of this is made possible through a GGC seed grant that funds our student research.” The grant provides students the opportunity to complete their required internship as well as earn a paycheck, all while interacting with and supporting each other. “The students are doing great work,” says Andrews-Swann, “which is testament to the impact that these students can have on their communities.”
Gullette follows with: “While other types of experiential learning programs advanced by colleges and universities might focus on breadth, or a high number of experiences, we wanted to focus on depth by giving students the opportunity to connect with one project over a longer period of time – one year. The research will continue through mid-2023.
Deadline is Jan. 31 to apply for Washington Youth Tour
Jackson Electric Membership Corporation (EMC) is accepting applications for the annual Washington Youth Tour, sponsored by the nation’s electric cooperatives. Jackson EMC will send four student delegates on an all-expense paid leadership development experience to Washington, D.C., June 15-22, 2023.
Current high school sophomores and juniors in the Jackson EMC service region who have demonstrated leadership potential, academic success and community service may apply directly online at www.jacksonemc.com/wyt or through their high school guidance counselor or teacher, who may nominate candidates for consideration. Applications must be received at Jackson EMC by 5 p.m. on January 31, 2023.
Finalists will interview on Feb. 20, 2023, with a panel of business, community and university leaders to be one of Jackson EMC’s four delegates to receive the Washington Youth Tour leadership experience.
Sponsored by the nation’s electric cooperatives since 1958, the Washington Youth Tour is a weeklong, intensive tour designed to build leadership skills while educating young people.
Gwinnett Chamber announces winners of 10 Small Business Awards
Winners have been announced of the Gwinnett Chamber’s annual Small Business Awards. The program named ten winners among the best in the region for exceptional business practices and entrepreneurial excellence.
Nick Masino, president and CEO, Gwinnett Chamber and Partnership Gwinnett, noted in the awards presentation that “Ninety-nine percent of all businesses in Georgia are small businesses, making this industry a critical component to the future of our economic health and well-being. We are honored to champion these amazing individuals and organizations through today’s program and want to congratulate the nominees, finalists, and winners on their incredible success this year.”
Rikki Klaus, producer for CNN, emceed the awards program, calling out each of the ten winners by name and category to come to the stage and receive their award. Category winners included:
- Community Contributor Award – Annandale Village;
- Culture Creator Award – Virguez Law;
- Emerging Entrepreneur Award – Elizabeth M’balu Oke – PivotPath;
- Founder Award – Grace Fricks – Access to Capital for Entrepreneurs;
- Launch Award – Byron Hospitality;
- Minority-Owned/Woman-Owned Business Award – 32 Pearls Family Dentistry;
- Small Business (0-5 Employees) Award – Cartridge World (Lawrenceville);
- Small Business (6-24 Employees) Award – El-Amin Orthopaedic & Sports Medicine Institute;
- Small Business (25+ Employees) Award – Capital Restoration; and
- Support System Award – Atlanta Chinese Entrepreneurs Club.
- Have a comment? Send to: elliott@brack.net
Follow Us